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Comics

When Snotgirlwas first announced over a year ago at an Image EXPO, I was excited. Very few details were given about the series, but the creative team of Bryan Lee O’Malley and Leslie Hung was more than enough to interest me. In the months following the announcement, more information about the series was released; such as a synopsis and information about the lead character, Lottie, most notably her terrible allergies, hence the ‘Snotgirl’ moniker.

Lottie is a social media identity, a fashion blogger, who is struggling to find real satisfaction in life, rather than the faux pleasure gained from having the ‘perfect’ life (as she’d have her fans believe). In reality, Lottie isn’t as happy or perfect. She can’t form meaningful relationships with people away from her screen; which I can’t help but read as a form of social commentary. I myself am 18 years old and practically live online and through all my social media accounts try and create the identity I wish I had and that I wish for other people to see. This means that I find Lottie an indefinitely relatable character. Furthermore, Lottie is also at a point in her life where she knows she’s an adult but doesn’t quite feel like one; there’s something missing and she can’t figure out what. Again, I feel like this perfectly applies to people of my age and situation. Heck, it may even apply to older people but I guess I won’t know more about that until I reach that age!

I was slightly hesitant but mainly curious about how O’Malley would manage to make an ongoing series just about a social media personality. Surely it isn’t a broad enough topic to sustain a monthly book? Clearly I was wrong to ever doubt him. Not only was I treated to some wonderful character moments from Lottie and her quirky supporting cast, but there was a surprising amount going on as well. O’Malley has set many wheels into motion and I’m looking forward to seeing how the storyline will progress.

The most interesting plotline by far however, comes courtesy of a final page cliff-hanger that absolutely stunned me. I’m still not 100% sure what happened but I am eagerly anticipating the next issue. No way was I expecting the series to head in this direction and it definitely muted my previous concerns about the long-term potential of this series.

Finally, it would be an absolute travesty if I failed to mention the artwork of Leslie Hung. I could not think of a more perfect artist for this series. She draws Lottie in many different emotional states just in this issue alone and nails every single one of them. I should also mention that the exciting colours of Mickey Quinn allow Snotgirlto have a vibrant tone which helps to bring life to each panel.

In short, Snotgirl#1 managed to surpass my already high expectations and silenced all of my doubts. O’Malley and Hung are one hell of a team and I sincerely hope they can keep to this standard for a long while to come.

Today DC Entertainment announced that they would have a revamp of Hanna-Barbera comics later this year. 4 new titles were announced, with surprisingly high profile creators attached.

Here is a run down of all the information you need to know, and my thoughts on the matter:

Scooby Apocalypse by Jim Lee, Howard Porter and Keith Griffen

My Thoughts: Despite being young, my parents brought me up on the classic Scooby Doo cartoons from the 60s, and even to this day I am still happy to sit down and watch them because they are such brilliant and fun stories. This story however, is going to be very different from those cartoons. Judging from the cover art, and the title, this is going to be an apocalyptic Mystery Inc (with a hipster Shaggy too!). DC was clearly influenced by the success of ‘Afterlife With Archie’ in flipping a well-known property on its head. I like the idea of this new direction for the gang. I’m not crazy about the character designs but I do love the creative team attached to it, so I’ll definitely be buying this comic book once it hits stores!

Future Quest by Doc Shaner and Jeff Parker

My Thoughts: I don’t know who any of these characters are. I am unfamiliar with them. However a quick search on Google Images allows me to realise how wonderful Shaner’s art is and how it has a very retro and old-school look. I am also a fan of Parker’s writing from his time on DC’s Batman ’66 series. Therefore, I will check this one out when it comes out later this year, mainly on the strength of the creative team.

The Flintstones by Mark Russell

My Thoughts: I have seen a few Flintstones cartoons in my life and they were quite fun, but I can’t say they hooked me like Scooby Doo did. I’m not familiar with Russell’s work but forum members on CBR seem to have positive things to say about him, which is nice. It has also only been said that Amanda Conner is doing the design for the characters (as seen above) but not that she is doing the interiors for the series. Unfortunately, I never commit to a series if I don’t know, or like the artist, so it is unlikely that I will buy this comic book. Although, if I hear positive reviews about this once it comes out, I will likely buy in in trade paperback.

Wacky Race Land by Mark Sexton and Ken Pontac

My Thoughts: Mark Sexton was the designer on ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ so he clearly knows how to choreograph a captivating race/driving scene, which obviously works perfectly for this title. Again, unfortunately, I am unfamiliar with this creative team. I also don’t have much of an interest in a racing title, so I will not be buying this book either.

I would be buying 2, possibly 3, out of 4 newly announced titles. I would rate that a massive success on DC’s behalf. I would’ve never brought titles like these before but DC came up with interesting ideas and fantastic creative teams, making it very hard for a fan like me to turn down.

It looks as though Marvel has found a new character they wish to milk for every penny.

Gwenpool, an alternate universe version of Gwen Stacy who just happens to be that universe’s Deadpool, will get her own ongoing comic series next spring. The series will be set in the main Marvel Universe, as Gwenpool finds herself there as a result of the events in Secret Wars.

It will be written by Christopher Hastings, and drawn by art team Gurihiru. This creative team have been involved in every Gwenpool story thus fur, and clearly that is going to continue come April-time.

When speaking to Entertainment Weekly, here’s what Hastings had to say about the series: “So the series is a lot about her believing she’s in a fictional world with no consequences. She’s seen everyone come back to life at some point, and it sort of seems like she’s living in a video game. And then the book is going to be the universe fighting back at that. Like, ‘you can’t really get away with everything’ is kind of the struggle there. It’s also sort of, she just assumes, ‘I’m obviously a main character so I need to be a superhero‘ even though she has no powers. I really like all of these comics right now about these teen heroes sort of figuring out what they’re doing in this world. But they come at it from a much more altruistic viewpoint, and I think it’s really fun to have somebody take on the mercenary angle and sort of like, contrast her against someone like Kamala Khan, as we did in the holiday special.”

That does sound strangely intriguing to me.

Not to mention that I absolutely adore Gurihiru artwork. They have a style that I wholeheartedly love; which is a big factor in my interest in this Gwenpool ongoing.

I normally hate moves like these on the account of them feeling like a cash-grab from Marvel, but this one has peaked my interest. I’ll probably read the first arc and see how I’m feeling about the book then.